The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 1 – To Know and Love God (2026)

Main Theme

In this inaugural episode of The Catechism in a Year, Fr. Mike Schmitz launches his journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, focusing on the Prologue (Paragraphs 1–10). The episode unpacks God’s plan of sheer goodness for humanity, the call to know and love God, and the essential mission of handing on the Catholic faith—catechesis. Listeners are invited to open their minds and hearts to a transformative journey, learning not just information but embracing a call to mission.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Structure of the Prologue (00:30–03:10)

• The Prologue of the Catechism is described as the opening “syllabus day” but with remarkable depth and beauty (01:35).
• It sets the stage for the entire Catechism, laying out God’s plan for humanity and how believers are to respond.

Quote:

"The very first paragraph in the entire catechism begins by saying, like, here is the massive revelation of God to humanity. And it’s just so good."
– Fr. Mike Schmitz (02:00)

2. God’s Plan for Humanity (03:15–07:45)

• God’s motivation is “sheer goodness.” He freely created man to share in His blessed life and persistently draws close to each person.
• The Call: Humanity is invited to seek, know, and love God with all their strength (06:10–06:50).
• This invitation is rooted in relationship, not obligation.

Quote:

“You’ve made us for yourself. And we are restless. Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
– Fr. Mike Schmitz, paraphrasing St. Augustine (04:20)

3. The Story of Salvation & Our Mission (07:00–13:44)

• The Catechism’s opening paragraphs outline:
  • The story of salvation: God’s self-revelation, the sending of His Son, and the call through the apostles.
  • All the faithful are entrusted with handing on the faith—not just clergy or religious, but everyone.

Quote:

“All Christ’s faithful are called to hand it on from generation to generation by professing the faith, by living it in fraternal sharing, and by celebrating it in liturgy and prayer.”
– Fr. Mike Schmitz reading the Catechism (10:30)

• Ways faith is handed on:
  • Professing the faith (the Creed/what we believe)
  • Living the faith (moral life/fraternal sharing)
  • Celebrating the liturgy (worship)
  • Praying (personal and communal prayer)

Quote:

“…everyone who is a disciple of Jesus is called to pass on the faith. And so what is that called? What’s handing on the faith called? That’s called catechesis. And that’s what you find in the catechism.”
– Fr. Mike Schmitz (12:00)

4. The Role and History of Catechesis (13:45–19:00)

• Definition: Catechesis is “an education in the faith” for all ages, imparted systematically and organically, aiming for full initiation into Christian life (13:50).
• Key aspects:
  • The Catechism draws from Scripture, Tradition, and the Church’s pastoral mission.
  • Periods of renewal in the Church are always times of intense catechesis (15:55).
  • Historical highlights: The influence of the Councils, Saintly bishops such as St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Augustine, and the publication of foundational catechisms (Council of Trent, Roman Catechism).
  • The Catechism as a response to the need for renewed, clear teaching after Vatican II, culminating in the commission by Pope John Paul II for a new universal Catechism (17:30–18:40).

Quote:

“It is therefore no surprise that catechesis in the Church has again attracted attention in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, which Pope Paul VI considered the great catechism of modern times.”
– Fr. Mike Schmitz reading the Catechism (16:45)

5. The Practical Stakes: Not Just Information but Transformation (19:05–22:30)

• Fr. Mike emphasizes the journey is not about gaining “head knowledge” but conversion of heart—being transformed and sent forth on mission (19:40).
• The call is for every listener: The Lord is sending each one of us out.

Quote:

“I don’t just need more information. I need transformation. Because why? Because the Lord is sending you out. And this is the key.”
– Fr. Mike Schmitz (20:07)

• Takeaway Question:
  • “What is God’s plan for human beings? What’s God’s plan for you and for me? ... That plan is to know Him and to share intimately in his life. And by that knowledge, we’re moved by love of God to share—to share him with everyone we meet in whatever way we can.”
    – Fr. Mike Schmitz (22:00)

6. The Invitation and Challenge (22:35–end)

• Fr. Mike closes inviting listeners into the year-long journey:
  • Encouragement to persevere even when it feels daunting.
  • A sense of shared mission and spiritual camaraderie.

Memorable Closing:

“You guys, this is gonna be a long journey, but I know, I know that you can make it. I know that we all can. So stick with it. Keep pressing play and, man, keep praying for me. I’ll be praying for you.”
– Fr. Mike Schmitz (22:45)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “What is your plan for us? Generally speaking, what's your plan for us personally this day? Lord God, we just open our hearts to you today...”
  – Fr. Mike Schmitz (04:00)

• “Here is the catechism that says, okay, here is God’s plan. Here’s how we fulfilled that plan in Jesus, and by sending us the Holy Spirit, here’s how that plan was, you know, carried out throughout time by the commissioning of the apostles and then their successors.”
  – Fr. Mike Schmitz (11:40)

• “Not just priests, not just bishops, not just missionaries, not just nuns, not just, you know, the super religious people, but everyone who is a disciple of Jesus is called to pass on the faith.”
  – Fr. Mike Schmitz (12:05)

• “The reason why you’re going through the catechism, I think, is not just because you want to have head knowledge ... but I think it’s because you recognize, just like I do. You recognize, okay, I need to also be converted. I need heart transformation.”
  – Fr. Mike Schmitz (19:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:05 – Introduction and outline of the episode
• 03:15 – Opening Prayer
• 06:00 – Fr. Mike reads the Prologue (Paragraphs 1–10)
• 13:45 – Fr. Mike’s breakdown and reflections on key paragraphs
• 19:05 – Discussion: Catechesis as more than information, it is transformation
• 22:35 – Encouragement and closing remarks

Summary Table

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------| | Introduction & Overview | Purpose and plan for the year | 00:05–01:35| | Prayer | Opening hearts to God’s plan | 03:15–06:00| | Prologue Reading | Catechism Paragraphs 1–10 | 06:00–13:45| | Breakdown & Reflections | Meaning and application of the Prologue | 13:45–19:00| | Information vs. Transformation| Why Catechesis matters in daily life | 19:05–22:30| | Closing Encouragement | Perseverance and community in the journey | 22:35–end |

Tone & Style

Fr. Mike’s tone throughout the episode is warm, conversational, and enthusiastic. He expresses awe at the beauty of the Catechism, relates profound truths with approachable language, and continually invites listeners to personally engage with the material—not just as an intellectual pursuit, but as a transformative journey in faith.

Bottom Line:
Day 1 of The Catechism in a Year invites every listener to discover God’s plan of sheer goodness: to know and love Him, to become His adopted children, and to hand on this treasure of faith to others. Fr. Mike inspires with his encouragement to embrace not only knowledge but deep personal transformation and active mission as the heart of catechesis.